School of Environmental Studies

What can you do with an environmental science degree?

See a list of potential environmental science employers!

Air/Water Quality Management

Areas	Employers	Strategies
Testing/Analysis Watershed Management Stream Restoration Sustainable Infrastructure Risk Assessment Project Development Compliance Permitting Modeling	Federal, state, and local government: Environmental Protection Agency Geological Survey Natural Resource Conservation Service Fish and Wildlife Service Department of Agriculture Public works departments Consulting firms Private laboratories Nonprofit organizations Water treatment plants Consumer products manufacturers	Develop strong research skills through coursework with laboratory components, assisting faculty with research projects or internships. Seek experience in organizations related to the environment, such as those focused on water resources or pollution. Stay up-to-date with local and federal regulatory laws pertaining to your specialty. Develop strong oral communication and technical writing skills. Learn to use tools and software associated with watershed modeling or air dispersion modeling. Investigate certification programs from the American Institute of Hydrology. Be willing to travel to various client sites.

 

Waste Management

Areas	Employers	Strategies
Risk Assessment Quality Control Logistics Planning Recycling Transportation Compliance Environmental Engineering Public and Environmental Health Industrial Hygiene	Federal, state, and local government: Environmental Protection Agency Department of Energy City/county waste management departments Recycling centers Private waste management firms Consulting firms Nonprofit organizations	Pursue experience through volunteer, paid, and intern positions related to waste management. Hone communication skills (written and oral). Take courses in technical writing. Develop decision-making, problem-solving, diplomacy, and the ability to work under pressure. Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to consider issues from multiple perspectives. Gain familiarity with current technologies, regulations, and statutes. Join community groups focused on environmental awareness; attend public meetings about waste management. Become familiar with Superfund programs and local citizen watch groups.

 

Soil Science

Areas	Employers	Strategies
Soil and Water Conservation Land Use Planning Waste Disposal Environmental Compliance Reclamation of Contaminated Lands Landfill Operation and Monitoring Agrichemical Management Fertilizer Technology Agricultural Production: Food and Fiber Research Education	Federal government: Environmental Protection Agency Natural Resource Conservation Service Department of Agriculture Department of Health and Human Services State farm bureaus Environmental research laboratories Agricultural or environmental consultant firms Privately owned farms and ranches Universities	Develop acute observational skills. Seek experience through co-ops, internships, or part-time jobs in the area of interest. Gain laboratory and research experience to prepare for research positions. Stay informed on environmental policy, conservation, and industry trends. Learn about technologies like GIS and global positioning systems used in resource management. Participate in related clubs and soil judging teams to build connections and cultivate interests. Learn about certifications offered by the Soil Science Society of America (e.g., soil science, agronomy).

 

Environmental Remediation/Compliance

Areas	Employers	Strategies
Ground Water Surface Water Soils Air Sediments Remediation Liability Auditing Compliance Sustainability	Federal Government: Army Corps of Engineers Department of Defense (DOD) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Department of Interior (Bureau of Reclamation, Office of Surface Mining, Bureau of Land Management) Agricultural Consulting Firms Environmental Consulting Firms	Gain experience through internships, volunteering, or part-time positions in remediation projects. Develop excellent communication skills (oral and written) to work as part of a team. Conduct regulatory research regarding environmental issues of interest. Be prepared to travel to worksites. Gain experience in data management, analysis, and remediation tools like GIS and compliance software. Consider obtaining OSHA HAZWOPER training, as some positions may require it.

 

Environmental Law

Areas	Employers	Strategies
Political Action/Lobbying Regulatory Affairs Science Policy Patent Law Non-profit or Public Interest Environmental Law Mediation	Law firms Large corporations Federal and state government: Environmental Protection Agency Department of Justice Attorney General Offices Political Action Committees Nonprofit organizations (e.g., Green Action, Natural Resources Defense Council)	Develop strong research and writing skills. Improve public speaking through courses or participation in organizations like Toastmasters. Join pre-law honor societies and seek guidance from pre-law advisors. Stay updated on industry trends, laws, and policies related to environmental law. Take courses in history, political science, or legal studies to complement science curricula. Prepare for law school admissions by maintaining a high GPA and performing well on the LSAT. Research law schools with environmental law concentrations.